The White House has turned down Egypt’s recent proposal to rebuild Gaza. A spokesperson from the National Security Council explained that the plan does not take into account the current state of Gaza, which is described as uninhabitable due to debris and unexploded ordnance.
Egypt’s plan includes a $53 billion investment aimed at rebuilding Gaza without displacing its residents. It suggests a transitional technocratic government to oversee the process for the first six months. However, critics argue that the plan fails to address the presence of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, which raises concerns about their potential influence and funding sources.
One major issue is the undefined role of Hamas in this plan. The proposal neglects to mention what would happen if Hamas does not give up its military or political power. This omission is significant, as Hamas has been known to embed itself within civilian infrastructure, making it difficult to prevent future conflicts.
Both Israel and the United States have made it clear that they do not want Hamas to govern Gaza again. Key figures from Israel and the United Arab Emirates have called for Hamas to disarm, while Saudi Arabia has expressed concerns over the group’s continued armament.
The plan also suggests that the Palestinian Authority will eventually take control after the transitional government. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed this idea. Many Israelis, including a majority of Israeli Arabs, are against the Palestinian Authority having any role in Gaza’s future, especially given its support for Hamas’s recent attacks.
Furthermore, the proposal calls for significant funding from Gulf States, but there is no clarity on which states would contribute. If Qatar becomes a major funding source, concerns arise about its history of supporting Hamas and the potential for continued Islamist terrorism in Gaza.
Overall, the proposal leaves many critical issues unresolved, particularly regarding the disarmament of armed groups in Gaza. Given these shortcomings, the consensus is that the best course of action is for Israel and the U.S. to wait for a more viable reconstruction plan for Gaza.